Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-12-03
A LOVERS REVENGE.
BY A. L. o.

straight slope along one side OF Penn
sy1vania Valley, and high hills fence II
In on the other side. Far in the wes'
the ranges seem to join each other, bu
sharp cleft lets the rays of the setting
sun strike long, narrow line OF light
up the middle of the green pastures,
almost like a moonlight line on water
Midway between the two ranges Of
mountains, rising out of the green
plain, there is sharp, ridgy hill, with
turnpike over it, and by the roadside,
just at the highest point of land, in full
view from all the valley farms, stands
an old, blasted, hickory tree.
At twilight, when the energetic
whip-poor-will and sonorous frogs, and
the clamorous katydids make the
valley cheerful with sounds, the hill
lies in silence, looking down upon the
fields and woods below, where the
farmhouse lights twinkle like glow
worms.
At twilight the inhabitants of those
houses are very likely to be looking up
at the hill, as it looks down upon them,
for tradition says that wandering forms
have often been seen under the hickory
tree, and many bold boy tremblingly
longs to be favored with sight of the
mysterious beings who haunt it. The
. story is as follows:
When the country was first settled,
and the turnpike was only half
worn wagon road, sturdy
German farmer built himself a COM
Portable log-cabin at the foot of the
hill, and estab lished his family there.
His focks and herds increased, and his
farm was we'll titled. So he prospered
until he was considered the wealthy
man of the neighborhooL.
He had one daughter, Lena, merry,
pretty girl of II, the belle of the
country around. She was as famous
for her high spirit as for her lovely
face and graceful form,
The rustic beau thought all the bet
ter of her, that no degree of cold
could keep her from a sleighing, no
fatigue embarrass her in nutting, no
fear enfeeble her on the widest horse.
Also the fact that she had punished
a certain presumptuous young fellow
for snatching a kiss, by hearty box
on the ears; that she had silenced
joking old farmer with a jibe more
pointed than his own, if not so free;
and that she had beguiled the very
clergyman into laughing at one of her
wild freaks, which he would have re-
proved in any one else; made her popu-
larisy the sincerer. She was absolutely
impartial herself and favored no one
more than another.
Her fathers house being situated on
the .nain road, and there being no tav-
ern for three miles further on, it so
happened that travellers often asked
and obtained nights lodging there,
to avoid crossing the hills at nightfall.
Mr.. Kesler received all such. chance
visitors as God-sends, and entertained
them well, only asking in return all the
news they could give him.
One night, in the beginning of win
ter, traveller on tired horse begged
shelter, and promised handsome re-
Enumeration.
''Come in, come in," said the old
farmer. ''You are welcome if you
bring me any news. Here, Joe, take
the horse. Come in and rest, Mr..
Traveller, but ! take no pay, or only in
tongue-money."
He was fine, handsome young man,
who was thus received, an Englishman,
John Wilson by name, who had arrived
at Philadelphia but week before, and
was now on his way to look at some
newiy-purchased land in the interior.
That night he was too tired to talk
much, and the next day he was ILL.,
For month he could not be moved
and during that time his nurse, til
pretty Lena, learned to love him, hr.
not before he had manifested for Il
feelings far warmer than gratitude
The old man, who took NO fancy
his English guest, and had other plan
for his daughter, was greatly incensed
when h. learned the state of affairs,
and no sooner was Mr.. Wilson we'll
enough to go, than he received his dis
missal, and was forbidden the house.
The snow had by this time filed all the
roads, and he was obliged to give up hi
intended journey and take lodgings at
the tavern.
Lena's attachment was soon no
secret, and in proportion to her former
popularity was the disappointment
felt at her affections being engrosse
by this fine stranger, who was conse-
quently heartily hated in the neigh
borhood. A few of the girls lovers
vowed vengeance on tho interloper.
Among the most ardent of her lovers
was a handsome. fiery STRIPPING, not
yet twenty, the SON of powerful Indian
chief. He had come to the settlement
on q trading expedition, and after
meeting Lena, had chosen to remain,
sending his people back to his tribe
without him. He took the name of
Hugo Riffert, learned to speak Ger
man tolerab.y well, and was generally
received as an equal in the German
families, his father being too impor-
tant parsonage to make an enemy of,
backed, as the old chief was, by q
powerful tribe.
Lena had always repulsed him with q
positive dislike, yet the youth nursed
his passicn, He now sought every op-